H2M 2016

The Humans to Mars Summit 2016

The Humans to Mars Summit (H2M) is a comprehensive Mars exploration conference that addresses the major technical, scientific, and policy challenges of getting humans to Mars, as well as how such missions can have positive impacts on STEM education, American competitiveness and other important collateral issues. This conference is one of the most authoritative and diverse Mars exploration events, with the involvement of the leading technical and policy experts from NASA, industry, the science community, and academia. There is now a clear consensus among NASA, the aerospace industry and policy makers that a human mission to Mars by the 2030s is not just feasible, but affordable as well, if the proper measures are taken. H2M is an important part of Explore Mars’s ongoing programming to help advance policy and excite the public regarding human Mars missions.

Registration for H2M 2017 is Now Open!

2016 Speakers Included

Dava Newman

Deputy Administrator NASA

Dava Newman

Buzz Aldrin

Astronaut, Gemini XII and Apollo XI

Buzz Aldrin

Andy Weir

Author The Martian

Andy Weir

Joe Cassady

Aerojet Rocketdyne; Executive Director, Space

Joe Cassady

Julie Van Kleeck

Vice President Advanced Space and Launch Business Unit, Aerojet Rocketdyne

Julie Van Kleeck

Wanda Sigur

Vice President and General Manager Civil Space, Space Systems Company Lockheed Martin

Mars Day on the Hill: Congressional Briefing and office visits, Register Here

Friday, May 20, 2016 | Capitol Hill, Washington D.C.

Mars Day on the Hill: Congressional Office Visits

If you are a company or an organization looking for sponsorship opportunities please contact Explore Mars at info@exploremars.org

2016 Secondary Events

The H2M 2016 Opening Evening Reception sponsored by the National Geographic Channel

We invite you to join us during the early evening on opening day for a cocktail reception, which has been generously sponsored by National Geographic. Light hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine and soft beverages will be served.

We offer this reception to anyone who has paid registration (regular or student); however, you must RSVP for this event in advance. There will not be an opportunity to sign up on-site. Please email Debbie Cohen at debbiecohen@exploremars.org and let her know if you plan to attend this event.

May 18 Speaker Luncheon

Join us in the beautiful City View Room at GWU, featuring expansive views of the DC monuments for our speaker lunch featuring Catherine (Cari) M. Corrigan Geologist/Curator of Antarctic Meteorites, Smithsonian Institution. Dr. Corrigan will discuss “When Mars Falls to Earth: Exploring the Solar System through Meteorite Samples”. As part of her talk, Dr. Corrigan will provide meteorite samples that will be available to view.

In addition, once again, this lunch will feature a South African Pinotage (red wine) from the vineyards of private astronaut, Greg Olsen. White wine, lemonade, iced tea and water will also be served.

This luncheon is a very popular event at H2M and usually sells out completely in advance of the conference. We recommend that you purchase your tickets as soon as possible to guarantee your spot as attendance is limited. Designated sponsor attendees and VIPs will be pre-registered and do not need to register here.

*Portions of the menu are suitable for, or can be modified to accommodate, most dietary restrictions. The salad and fritters are vegetarian and gluten-free. The dessert is vegetarian and there will be a gluten-free dessert option. If you have other dietary restrictions, please email debbiecohen@exploremars.org and specify “H2M Dietary Restriction” in the subject line.

May 18 Evening Reception

Join us for a special reception at a beautiful rooftop space overlooking the Old Executive Office Building with beautiful views to the east and south of the city. Associate Administrator and Former NASA astronaut, John Grunsfeld, will be our special guest at this event.

Once again, we welcome the folks from Ardbeg, who will be doing a tasting of several varieties of Ardbeg scotch whiskey. This is a premium, single malt scotch distilled and aged on the small Scottish isle of Islay. Ardbeg glasses will be provided as a take-home souvenir of this event. The tasting was a very popular part of the off-site reception last year.

A selection of heavy hors d’oeuvres* will be served, with wine, beer and soft beverages available at the bar.

This is a very popular event, and space is limited, so please register today. Designated sponsor attendees and VIPs will be pre-registered and do not need to register here.

*Several of the food items will be suitable for our vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free guests, however if you have other dietary restrictions, please email debbiecohen@exploremars.org and specify “H2M Dietary Restriction” in the subject line.